It’s an unfortunate truth that your chances of losing a tooth tend to go up as you grow older. In many cases, it’s possible to replace missing teeth with sturdy dental implants. However, you might have heard that dental implants are not a good choice for older patients. Is this actually true, or can you still be a viable dental implant candidate even in your senior years? Here is what older patients need to know.
How Do Dental Implants Work?
Dental implants are small, screwlike posts that are made to be surgically inserted into the jaw. Once they fuse with the bone around them (thanks to a natural process called osseointegration), they can essentially act as artificial tooth roots for a dental crown, bridge, or denture. With the right number of implant posts, it’s possible to replace any number of teeth from the roots up.
Can Older Patients Still Get Dental Implants?
Despite what some people think, there is no upper age limit for dental implants. Patients in their 80s or even their 90s can still potentially benefit from this state-of-the-art tooth replacement option.
In fact, your oral health matters much more than your age when it comes to dental implant candidacy. In order to have implant posts placed, you need to have a sufficient amount of bone in your jaw, and your mouth must be free of issues such as gum disease. Regardless of your age, your dentist will need to examine your mouth carefully and consider your unique situation before determining whether dental implants are right for you.
What are the Advantages of Getting Dental Implants?
While older patients can still replace their missing teeth with traditional bridges or dentures, dental implants offer many unique benefits that can make them worth the investment:
- The chewing power offered by dental implants is almost on par with that of natural teeth, allowing you to eat virtually any kind of food without issue.
- Dental implants are the only type of tooth replacement that can prevent bone loss in your jaw since they can provide the same kind of stimulation as your natural tooth roots.
- Unlike traditional dentures, dental implants will not slip out of place at inopportune moments.
- It’s possible for dental implants to last for decades as long as they receive the right kind of care.
In short, if you’re an adult who has experienced tooth loss, dental implants can be a solution worth considering, no matter how long you’ve lived. Don’t hesitate to set up an initial consultation with your dentist to start the process of rebuilding your smile with reliable implant posts.
About the Author
Dr. James Woodruff has more than three decades of dental experience and has been consistently named one of America’s Best Dentists by the National Consumer Advisory Board. He has completed advanced training in dental implant surgery and implant restoration, allowing him to perform the entire dental implant process in-office. To schedule your initial dental implant consultation with Dr. Woodruff at Northbrook Dental Group, visit his website or call (847) 272-0049.